Best Grants for Creative Writing in California

California organizations hosting public literary readings or writing workshops can apply for Poets & Writers’ mini-grants, awarding up to US $3,000 per year for writers’ fees. Colleges, libraries, cultural centers, bookstores, community centers, and similar hosts planning events with published poets or creative writers may be eligible, with payments made directly to participating writers.

Literary Arts Project Grants

As part of its Literary Arts Initiative, South Arts is pleased to announce Literary Arts Project Grants supporting literary arts organizations and small presses that focus on contemporary literary arts.

These grants advance South Arts’ commitment to amplifying the literary traditions and artistic practices of the American South by directly supporting the development, production, and public engagement of high-quality literary projects.

Literary Arts Project Grants support projects in poetry, fiction, creative or literary nonfiction, young readers’ literature, and drama (scriptwriting). Projects must demonstrate artistic excellence, editorial rigor, and meaningful public or community impact.

Award Amount

South Arts will award up to $5,000 per project to eligible literary arts organizations and small presses.

Early-career creative writers in California working in fiction, creative nonfiction, or poetry can access funding through PEN America’s Emerging Voices Fellowship, which offers US $1,500 honorariums. This virtual five-month program supports underrepresented writers with one-on-one mentorship, craft workshops, industry access, and community-building opportunities across the U.S.

Early-career Native writers and poets in California and across the U.S. can receive US $10,000 and professional support to create new work. California creative writing applicants who are enrolled tribal citizens, Alaska Native, or of Native Hawaiian ancestry may be eligible for Native Arts & Cultures Foundation’s LIFT program supporting literature, poetry, and related arts.

Publishers of book-length poetry translations in California can access funding through PEN America’s PEN Award for Poetry in Translation, which honors original translations into English from any language. This U.S. trade publishing award offers US $3,000 to the translator and may benefit presses supporting creative writing and poetry in translation.

Focused on writing and literature, PEN America invites literary translators to submit original book-length prose translations published by a U.S. trade publisher, including those based in California. Eligible works must be translated into English from another language; winners receive US $3,000 and recognition through PEN America’s literary awards program.

Individual writers and art critics in California can receive approximately US $1,000 to develop and publish an original piece of art criticism through a six-week fellowship program. AICA-USA supports writing and literature by providing lectures, one-on-one mentorship, and publication opportunities for U.S. and Puerto Rico residents aged 24 and older interested in visual arts and criticism.

SAA members leading projects in teaching, scholarship, performance, or activism around Shakespeare and creative writing may be eligible for this award, including those based in California. Shakespeare Association of America supports writing and literature and theater initiatives that foster and sustain broad, diverse Shakespeare publics through this recognition.

Early-career scholars in writing and literature with a significant Shakespeare focus, including those based in California, may be eligible for the SAA First Book Award supporting first monographs. Grants from Shakespeare Association of America help members publishing their first book-length Shakespeare study between September 1, 2024 and September 1, 2025 gain recognition at the annual conference.

Doctoral candidates whose dissertations feature a significant Shakespeare component can seek recognition and support through the J. Leeds Barroll Dissertation Prize, presented annually by the Shakespeare Association of America. California scholars in writing and literature may be eligible if they are SAA members and their dissertations are approved between September 1, 2024 and September 1, 2025.

Scholars and writers in California working on Shakespeare and performance studies can receive recognition for outstanding published work through the Barbara Hodgdon Award. Grants from Shakespeare Association of America help members whose innovative articles on Shakespeare’s performances or adaptations, in any medium or geography, gain national visibility when published within the specified eligibility period.

Early-career pediatric infectious diseases physicians interested in academic writing and publishing can apply for the JPIDS Feigin Apprenticeship, a more than US $5,000 award supporting editorial training. With a mission to advance pediatric infectious diseases, PIDS Foundation provides U.S. clinicians with mentored manuscript review, editorial board participation, and other scholarly writing activities that may benefit those based in California.

Muslim undergraduate or graduate students in California studying media, journalism, or writing fields can receive US $3,000 - US $5,000 for tuition and related academic costs. Islamic Scholarship Fund provides U.S.-based scholars with funding, mentorship, and career support to advance American Muslim representation in media and improve public narratives through their creative and journalistic work.

Romance writers in California and across the U.S. who create original romance fiction and face financial need can receive help covering their annual national dues. With a mission to advance career-focused romance authors, Romance Writers of America provides this Perseverance Fund support to both members and serious nonmembers pursuing a romance writing career.

Graduating high school seniors in Gilroy, California, planning to study English, literature, creative writing, or education at a four-year college can receive up to US $3,000 to support their studies. The Claudia K. Salewske Memorial Scholarship from Silicon Valley Community Foundation especially favors students aspiring to become teachers and future writers in California.

Graduating high school seniors and current undergraduates with a demonstrated passion for creative writing in California’s San Mateo or Santa Clara counties can apply for the Bobette Bibo Gugliotta Memorial Scholarship, awarding up to US $1,000. Administered by Silicon Valley Community Foundation, it supports full-time study at four-year colleges or universities.

The Sundance Collab's Cultural Impact Residency, honoring Michael Latt, is a six-month online program supporting early-career, underrepresented storytellers focused on social impact. Running from March to August 2026, it offers mentorship, feedback sessions, and resources to eight selected fellows in screenwriting, directing, and documentary filmmaking. This opportunity is designed for works-in-progress, fostering a supportive creative community to inspire and develop impactful narratives.

The PEN Prison Writing Awards, initiated after the 1971 Attica Prison Riots, invites incarcerated writers in the U.S. to submit unpublished works across various genres including Poetry, Fiction, and Memoir. Winners receive cash prizes and their works are published in an annual anthology. This program not only recognizes talent within carceral facilities but also supports writers through mentorship, fostering creativity and expression in challenging circumstances.

The Lazarus Family Scholarship in Bioethics and Humanities, offered by the AMA Foundation, supports students engaged in bioethics or the humanities, including art, music, and literature. This scholarship aims to foster the next generation of physician leaders by providing financial assistance to those who are committed to advancing health equity and community service. By recognizing diverse fields of study, it emphasizes the importance of interdisciplinary approaches in medicine and the humanities.

Community Foundation for Muskegon County

At the Community Foundation for Muskegon County, we work with donors, grantees, and advisors to address key community issues.

The mission of the Community Foundation is to engage donors and connect them with opportunities to make a lasting impact, build community endowment, provide leadership on key issues, and make grants that reflect the communities we serve.

Scholarships

Our scholarship funds seek to empower and encourage Muskegon County residents to pursue their dreams, hone in their gifts, and give back to our community.

If you’re a high school or homeschooled senior, current college student, early college senior, or adult learner, the Community Foundation for Muskegon County may have a scholarship for you. We manage one of the largest scholarship programs in our area, with over $1 million committed to students in over 500 new and renewed scholarships awarded each year.

Dorothy Creason Tyler English Scholarship

This scholarship has been made possible by the generosity of the Tyler Family, who established the Dorothy Creason-Tyler English Scholarship of the Community Foundation for Muskegon County. This scholarship is intended for graduating seniors from North Muskegon High School, who have an aptitude and passion for English. The scholarship will be awarded to a student who has demonstrated overall academic achievement with a special interest in and passion for reading, writing and discussing the ideas generated from great literature.

The Creative Capital Award, established in 1999, provides unrestricted project grants ranging from $15,000 to $50,000 for innovative artistic works in various disciplines. It supports artists in visual arts, performing arts, film, and literature through a democratic, open-call process. Awardees receive professional development resources and mentorship over a five-year relationship. Additionally, recipients are automatically considered for the State of the Art Prize, which offers a $10,000 grant to one artist from each U.S. state.

The Irene Yamamoto Arts Writers Fellowship supports emerging writers focusing on music criticism. This fellowship encourages applicants to submit writing samples that critically analyze live or recorded music. Eligible candidates must be U.S. citizens or residents, 18 or older, and have less than two years of publication experience. The award includes unrestricted funds to advance their careers, alongside opportunities for publication and public speaking at the Democracy Center.

The Arts Education Grant Program, managed by Community Foundation Sonoma County, aims to enhance equitable access to high-quality arts education in Sonoma County. It supports 501(c)(3) nonprofits that empower students through visual, literary, and performing arts, helping them develop creativity and critical thinking skills. This initiative addresses disparities in arts education access, ensuring that all students can create, share, and reflect on their artistic endeavors, fostering community engagement and personal growth.

The Vilcek Foundation's 2026 Prizes for Creative Promise in Fashion & Design and Fashion & Culture will award six $50,000 prizes to young immigrant professionals. This initiative recognizes early- and mid-career creatives in fields such as fashion design, writing, and styling, highlighting the vital contributions of immigrants to the arts in the U.S. Eligible applicants must have at least five years of experience and intend to pursue their careers in the country.

The Anonymous Was A Woman Environmental Art Grants offer up to $20,000 for environmental art projects led by women-identifying artists in the U.S. and territories. Focused on themes like regeneration and eco-social engagement, the grants encourage projects that address ecological issues through ethical engagement. For the 2025 cycle, over $520,000 will be distributed, doubling previous funding. Eligible applicants must be 18+, lead artists, and not enrolled in degree programs during the grant term.

The Lenore Marshall Poetry Prize, established in 1975, awards $25,000 to the best book of poetry published in the U.S. the previous year. It includes a ten-day residency at Glen Hollow, New York, and distribution to Academy of American Poets members. Eligible poets must be U.S. citizens or residents and submit original works published in the prior year. Self-published books and translations are ineligible, promoting excellence in contemporary American poetry.

The Jonathan and Barbara Silver Foundation offers a $20,000 grant for writers focusing on sculpture, encouraging diverse voices in this field. Eligible applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents, or hold an O-1 visa, and have published work within the last five years. The grant aims to support fresh perspectives on the history and aesthetics of sculpture, promoting artistic growth and innovation. Applications are limited to one submission per individual, ensuring a fair opportunity for all.